21st Century Priming Tool

[deerhuntersh]

Hello, everyone.

This is my 1st post, though I've been lurking around for some time. In keeping with the philosophy that the only dumb question is the one you don't ask, there is something about the capability of the 21st Century Shooting Priming Tool that confuses me. First of all, the consensus seems to be that this is one fine priming tool. I like the freedom such a tool would give me to prime cases wherever I want rather than just with my cast iron press (which is what I do now) in my reloading area. This priming tool is adjustable for primer seating depth, even after the tool is taken apart for cleaning or changing primer seating heads. The video on their site states that, when you disassemble this tool, you typically go 10 clicks out from the very bottom (lowest possible setting) and that usually gets you where you need to be. My question is, "How do you know just where you need to be, especially with a tool that is adjustable?" Right now, when I prime on my bench mounted press, I just slowly go all the way down and stop when I feel resistance to the point where it would take alot of force to go any further; then, afterwards I run my finger over the seated primer to ensure it is not too high. I really have no way of knowing if the primer is too low, though I've yet to have any ignition problems with my reloads.

So, that's my question. Thanks for any insight you may be able to offer.

 

[savageshooter86]

adjust the primer tool to whatever position you want it to be at when you feel the primer touch the pocket. This can be all the way at bottom of the stroke. Or in the middle half of the stroke or just as soon as you start the stroke. You can click the adjustment in or out to be set so the primer touches at just about any position that is comfortable to you

I have mine so that when I start pushing the handle in to seat the primer I can feel it touch at about half way down. Then I just barely push further. I did have it so the primer touched at the very bottom of the stroke. But changed to be about half way on the stroke for better feel

 

[Lapua40X]

I would first submit that the K&M primer seater will do the job just a well at half the price.
http://www.kmshooting.com/catalog/primer-seater-tools/primer-deluxe.html
I don't know what the "10 click" adjustment means but IMO when the primer is properly seated you'll know it without counting clicks.
Your primer is seated when it contacts the bottom of the primer pocket. There is not magic in getting this done properly. A properly prepared (cleaned) primer pocket will accept a new primer with only the slightest resistance. When the hand priming tool resists, it's because you're at the bottom of the primer pocket. It takes quite a bit of additional pressure to actually damage the primer; key is to set it deep enough so that it is at least even with the bottom of the case head but hopefully not so deep that the firing pin can't make it go bang.
Best way I've found to determine if the primer is seated deep enough is to stand the loaded round up vertically on a perfectly flat surface. It should not rock side to side when tickled.

 

[johara1]

I set mine up so i can feel it touch the bottom because primer are not of equal hight nor are primer pockets the same depth. You can get close but not perfect. So the click thing to me is useless. and the K&M will do the same job is right but the 21st Century tool will do it easier and i had a K&M since 1996…….. jim

 

[savageshooter86]

The "10 click" thing the OP was referring too is their online video showing how to set up the tool and that backing it out 10 clicks should get you close to where you need to be to start priming.

 

[BoydAllen]

There are any number of ways to successfully seat a primer, and I think that I have tried them all, or close to it. What you get with the 21st Century is a real piece of mechanical art. Not only does it work very well, but all of the details, large and small, are executed to aerospace perfection. You probably can kill anything on the continent with a sporterized 03a3 that you bought from a hock shop. Anything above that, we buy because we like looking at and using nicer stuff. This is one of those things. Do you need one? No, but if you try one, it is very likely that you will want one, and for me, that is what hobbies are all about.

 

[johara1]

Boyd, what i like is how easy it is to seat a primer, as you get older easy is way better…….. jim

 

[deerhuntersh]

Guys,

I sincerely want to thank all of you for your input. My confusion has been cleared up. I am constantly in awe of the willingness of good people to offer their experience and knowledge without worrying about what's in it for them.

Thanks again to you all.

 

[AR Shooter]

Just ordered the 21st Century priming tool. Did chat a bit with John about the out-of-stock model that uses the Lee primer trays. He said the they would be available by the end of next month but couldn't really recommend them due to quality issues with the Lee parts (what?!? quality issues with Lee ). He did mention that he hopes to have his own semi-automatic primer tray system available by the spring. Said it will be "high dollar" in comparison to the Lee, but it will work as it is supposed to.

 

[bigwoodsman]

There are any number of ways to successfully seat a primer, and I think that I have tried them all, or close to it. What you get with the 21st Century is a real piece of mechanical art. Not only does it work very well, but all of the details, large and small, are executed to aerospace perfection. You probably can kill anything on the continent with a sporterized 03a3 that you bought from a hock shop. Anything above that, we buy because we like looking at and using nicer stuff. This is one of those things. Do you need one? No, but if you try one, it is very likely that you will want one, and for me, that is what hobbies are all about.

.



Very we'll put Boyd,these tools are the Cadillac of priming tools,I surely enjoy the one I own

Jeff

 

[Area Man]

What you get with the 21st Century is a real piece of mechanical art. Not only does it work very well, but all of the details, large and small, are executed to aerospace perfection.

I enjoy seating primers with my 21st Century. When you put the primer in the cup of the tool, it settles slowly into the pocket as the air beneath it leaks slowly out. And that's just cool.

 

[mikecr]

What ya'll are missing is that you can't seat primers the same by feel, nor can you seat em all the same based on any set cup position from casehead. Pockets vary in depth, primers vary in height.
Yes, they'll all go off. Doesn't mean they're seated the same, or that they'll fire the same.

The ONLY priming tool that actually seats them to a measured standard is the indicated K&M. ~$130
The K&M may not be a pretty work of art, but I'm convinced it's a work of genius.

 

[BoydAllen]

I would have to say that if it makes you happy, and the rifle goes bang, then what else is there....but for the rest of us, I might mention that I have never seen one at a short range benchrest match, and and every single record holder that I know seats primers by feel. We should live to shoot as well as they do. One of the best rail shooters that I know, doesn't clean the inside of his case necks, having proven long ago, by actual test, that leaving them alone worked better.

 

[Joe Maisto]

What ya'll are missing is that you can't seat primers the same by feel, nor can you seat em all the same based on any set cup position from casehead. Pockets vary in depth, primers vary in height.
Yes, they'll all go off. Doesn't mean they're seated the same, or that they'll fire the same.

The ONLY priming tool that actually seats them to a measured standard is the indicated K&M. ~$130
The K&M may not be a pretty work of art, but I'm convinced it's a work of genius.

Mike..
We have what is known as a "Primer pocket uniformer". There is a reason for that. Every group benchrest shooter I know uses one. Go Figure.

Also, you may want to heed the words of Boyd Allen. Also...I too agree with not necessarily cleaning the inside of necks. I believe it gives you a bit more neck tension. To each his own.

 

[mikecr]

Do you have a primer uniformer?

 

[Bowhunter4]

Mikecr , sounds like you are very passionate about your tool. For the sake of the horse ill just say once again "IF IT WORKS FOR YOU KEEP USING IT", their are reasons that i dont think you really understand why we"competitive shooters" seat primers the way we do. sorry just had to add my two cents

 

[21shooter]

The Anvils set proud of the cup, and not all the same also. The 21st has enough feel I can tell when the anvil touch, and the cup behind it bottoms. It also has enough leverage to go ahead and damage it beyond that. I shoot only one competitive discipline under one sanctioning body. So I will run a ten round group here and there under great conditions once I think my load is there. Since owning the 21st century, my light gun has bettered the world record not once but twice under those conditions. Even better that our club record witch happens to be smaller yet. I could tape a dial on it to make me feel better, but a pair of 3.2's out of three fired makes me feel even more betterer.

Tom

Thanks Tom,
Congratulations! That's incredible! I have had numerous statements such as yours. Some from world record holders, claiming my 21st Century Shooting Priming Tool has helped them achieve this goal and breaking new records.

I personally had have some almost record long range 20 rnd. strings.

I knew that many hours at the Haas CNC Mills, that I was onto something unique.

I would like to ask my fellow shooters what they think of the 21st Century Shooting SS Priming Tool.
So go ahead guys let me hear it!

Oh BTW here is the link http://www.21stcenturyshooting.com/S.S_FQUY.php

 

[ddkearney]

I'm with Boyd and Joe. I always use the primer pocket uniformer on every reload and the 21st century priming tool is light years better than the old AutoPrime that I used to use. Just pick it up and you can tell. Don

 

[Jcub]

Do you have a primer uniformer?

Haha. Touche